Chair structure with adjustable back



June 1964 E. w. HOFFSIS ETAL CHAIR STRUCTURE WITH ADJUSTABLE BACK Filed Aug. 5, 1962 34 INVENTORS. EARL W. HOFFSIS WESLEY M. BROOKS RICHARD A. PLISKA ATTORNEY United States Patent CHAIR STRUCTURE WITH ADJUSTABLE BACK Earl W. Holfsis and Wesley M. Brooks, Toledo, and

Richard A. Pliska, Genoa, Ohio, assiguors, by mesne assignments, to Globe-Wernicke Industries, Inc,

Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 214,619 2 Claims. (Cl. 39)

This invention relates to articles of furniture but more particularly to a convertible chair-lounge-bed unit.

An object is to produce a convertible article of furniture having an extensible frame part which is so connected to a cushion unit that upon movement of the frame part from one position to another, the cushion unit automatically assumes a predetermined position depending upon the use which is desired, a latching device being provided to secure the pants in the adjusted position.

Another object is to produce an article of furniture of the convertible type which is compact so that a minimum amount of space is occupied; is sturdy and rigid in construotion so that it can cope with jars, shocks and motion, such as imparted by a marine craft; may be readily and conveniently adjustable to adapt itself for different uses, such as an upright chair, a reclining chair, or a bed; and can be securely locked in the selected position of use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the convertible chair structure showing the parts in a chair position;

FIGURE 2 is a front end elevation of the chair structure shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the chair structure in bed position; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary rear end view partly in section of the structure shown in FIGURE 1, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a convertible chair-bed structure having a pair of laterally spaced parallel tubular frame members 10 disposed in horizontal position and having fore and aft U shaped leg members 11 and 12 respectively rigidly fixed to the tubular members. Resting upon the tubular frame members 10 is a cushion assembly 13 which has a suitable frame (not shown) secured in any suitable manner to the frame members 10 and the sides of which project laterally a short distance beyond the frame members, particularly as shown on FIGURE 4.

A supplemental frame is provided which telescopes with the tubular frame members 10 and this frame comprises a pair of laterally spaced tubular rods 14 which slide in and out of the tubular frame members 10. The outer ends of the tubular rods 14 are joined by a U shaped leg 15, the upper ends of which are suitably fixed to the end portions of the rods 14.

Telescoping movement of the supplemental frame is facilitated by the use of spacer members interposed be tween the rods 14 and the respective tubular frame members 10. In this instance three nylon buttons 16 are carried by the tubular frame members 10, as shown in FIG- URE 4, thereby eliminating any metal to metal contact between these two parts so that the fore and aft motion of the supplemental frame is on the nylon spacers. Interposed between the nylon spacers 16 carried by the tube 14 are nylon spacers 17. Thus the space between the outer surface of the rods 14 and the inner surface of the tubes 10 is occupied by the nylon spacers. These spacers have disc-like heads which are sufficiently thin and flexible to conform to the curvilinear engaging surfaces, and, as indicated, there are integral necks on each spacer which extends through holes in the respective members and are suitably secured in place. Manifestly although the nylon has been mentioned as the material of the spacers 16 and 17, other materials having similar characteristics may be used for the purpose of achieving a smooth sliding move:- ment between these parts.

A cushion assembly 18 is also provided, this being similar to the cushion assembly 13 in that it has a suitable cushion portion and a frame structure so that it is self sustaining. The cushion assembly 18 is hingedly connected to the respective tubular members 10 of the main frame and in order to enable the cushions to be disposed in the position indicated on FIGURE 1, the adjacent sides are flared for this purpose. A pair of hinges provides the connection between the cushion assemblies 13 and 18 and each hinge comprises a leaf 19 of sheet metal which has a flange 20 which engages the underside of the cushion 13 and is suitably secured thereto. Integral with the flange 20 and disposed at right angles thereto is an upstanding flange 21 which is spaced laterally a slight extent from the side of the cushion assembly 13 as shown on FIGURE 4.

Forming the other part of the hinge is a leaf 22 which has a sheet metal flange 23 engaging a portion of the under side of the cushion assembly 18 and suitably secured thereto. Integral with the flange 23 is an upstanding flange 24 which is disposed alongside a portion of the cushion assembly 18. The two leaves 19 and 22 of the hinge are suitably connected together by a headed pin 25 which is suitably secured in position by a snap spring. A nylon washer 25' on the pin 25 is interposed between the adjacent hinged parts to facilitate movement and eliminate metal to metal contact.

Fixed to the outer side of the flange 23 of each hinge leaf 22 is a bearing bracket 26 and this bracket is arranged near the free outer end of the flange 23. A pin 27 having a head 27' is carried by the bracket 26 and a nylon washer 28 on the pin is interposed between the bracket and a link arm 29, one end of which is connected to the pin. A suitable snap spring may be employed on the outer side of the link arm for retaining it on the bearing pin 27.

The lower end of each of the link arms 29 is pivotally connected to the leg 15 of the supplemental frame at a point spaced below the connection between the leg 15 and the respective tubular rod 14. A headed pin 30 provides the connection between the lower end of each of the links 29 and the upright portions of the leg 15, there being a nylon washer 30' interposed between the respective link arm and the leg 15. The pin 30 is similarly secured at its opposite end by a snap spring so it is retained against shifting movement.

A spring loaded catch is provided for securing the supplemental frame in the selected position of adjustment. It will be understood that by moving the supplemental frame from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to the right of the figure, the link arms 29 cause the cushion assembly 18 gradually to be tilted or rocked downwardly until the cushion assembly 18 is disposed in alignment with the cushion assembly 13, as shown in FIGURE 3, when the structure is in bed position. Manifestly any position intermediate the position shown in FIGURE 1 and that shown in FIGURE 3 disposes the back cushion assembly 18 in an inclined position providing a reclining chair.

As shown, the catch comprises a pair of transversely disposed arms 31 and 32 which are disposed beneath the rear end portion of the cushion assembly 13. Each of the arms 31 and 32 is formed with a downwardly extending inner end or hand hold portion. Interposed between the down turned ends 33 is a coil spring 34 which constantly urges the arms 31 and 32 outwardly. The arms 31 and 32 are each provided with a pair of longitudinally elongate slots 35 and extending through these slots are bolt and nut assemblies 36 which are secured to the frame of the cushion assembly 13. In this manner the arms 31 and 32 may be reciprocated longitudinally. The outer ends of the arms 31 and 32 are offset, as indicated at 37, and each offset pontion extends through a hole 38 formed in the respective tubular frame member 10. At selected positions in the tubular rods 14 are holes 39 so that the offset ends 37 may extend through the holes 39, thereby positively to secure the supplemental frame in adjusted position.

Thus when the supplemental frame is pulled outwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to that shown in FIGURE 3 the down turned ends 33 are first pressed toward each other so as to move the offset rod ends 37 out of the holes 39 and enable movement of the supplemental frame. By releasing the down turned ends 33 the offset ends 37 will butt against the tubular rods 14 until the next succeeding holes 39 are encountered whereupon the offset ends abruptly snap through the selected hole 39 to secure the parts in such position of adjustment. In this manner it will be manifest that the movement of the cushion assembly 18 is automatic and is dependent upon the shifting movement of the supplemental frame either in a fore or aft direction.

Numerous changes in detail of construction arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A chair structure with an adjustable back comprising a main frame having a pair of laterally spaced parallel tubular members adapted to be mounted on a suitable support, a supplemental frame having a pair of laterally spaced tubular rods slidable telescopically in said tubular members respectively, a cushion unit mounted on and substantially covering said main frame, a second cushion unit, hinge means providing a connection between said second cushion unit and said main frame whereby said second cushion unit may be rocked from an upright position constituting a chair back for the first cushion unit to a position in alignment therewith to constitute a bed, said hinge means comprising a member rigid with the main frame, a member rigid with the supplemental frame and aligned with the first hinge member when the frames are arranged as a bed, and a pivotal connection between the adjacent ends of said members, link means providing a connection between said second cushion unit and said supplemental frame whereby fore and aft movement of the supplemental frame imparts rocking movement to said second spring unit, and latching means for releasably securing said supplemental frame in a selected position of adjustment.

2. A chair structure as claimed in claim 1, comprising legs for supporting the main frame, a leg support fixed to the free outer end portion of the supplemental frame, and the link means comprising a single link pivoted at one end to the second cushion unit relatively close to the hinge connection between the hinge members and at the opposite end to an intermediate portion of the adjacent leg support for the supplemental frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 247,683 Plimpton Sept. 27, 1881 322,176 Glaggen July 14, 1885 537,467 Leonard Apr. 16, 1895 1,705,851 Bukolt Mar. 19, 1929 2,328,316 Webb Aug. 31, 1943 2,979,738 Goldberg Apr. 18, 1961 3,045,257 Knapp July 24, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 81,581 Norway Apr. 7, 1953 27,397 Finland May 31, 1955 192,074 Austria Sept. 25, 1957 

1. A CHAIR STRUCTURE WITH AN ADJUSTABLE BACK COMPRISING A MAIN FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED PARALLEL TUBULAR MEMBERS ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON A SUITABLE SUPPORT, A SUPPLEMENTAL FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED TUBULAR RODS SLIDABLE TELESCOPICALLY IN SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY, A CUSHION UNIT MOUNTED ON AND SUBSTANTIALLY COVERING SAID MAIN FRAME, A SECOND CUSHION UNIT, HINGE MEANS PROVIDING A CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID SECOND CUSHION UNIT AND SAID MAIN FRAME WHEREBY SAID SECOND CUSHION UNIT MAY BE ROCKED FROM AN UPRIGHT POSITION CONSTITUTING A CHAIR BACK FOR THE FIRST CUSHION UNIT TO A POSITION IN ALIGNMENT THEREWITH TO CONSTITUTE A BED, SAID HINGE MEANS COMPRISING A MEMBER RIGID WITH THE MAIN FRAME, A MEMBER RIGID WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL FRAME AND ALIGNED WITH THE FIRST HINGE MEMBER WHEN THE FRAMES ARE ARRANGED AS A BED, AND A PIVOTAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS, LINK MEANS PROVIDING A CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID SECOND CUSHION UNIT AND SAID SUPPLEMENTAL FRAME WHEREBY FORE AND AFT MOVEMENT OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL FRAME IMPARTS ROCKING MOVEMENT TO SAID SECOND SPRING UNIT, AND LATCHING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID SUPPLEMENTAL FRAME IN A SELECTED POSITION OF ADJUSTMENT. 